Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2024

Uniform Committee

• Our AFA Uniform Committee Chairpersons met on Thursday, May 2 to discuss their ongoing program of work to represent Flight Attendants interests related to uniforms.
• The Committee also met with management to receive updates and discuss issues and problems that Flight Attendants are reporting related to uniform quality, wearability, and availability.
• If you are experiencing any issues with uniform quality or construction, please report the issues to Unisync as soon as possible. Please include your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson on the email so they can help track any issues or trends that might be developing.

On Thursday, May 2nd, the AFA Local Uniform Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent Flight Attendants and push for improvements in the workplace. Present at the meeting were Kim Mazzolini (ANC), Dena Heath (SEA), David Jelinek (PDX), Lisa Mueller (SFO), Heather Holmes (LAX), JP Perina (SAN), and MEC Uniform Committee Chairperson Kiara O’Bryant.

The committee also met with Sr Product Manager Marketing Megan Low, Uniform Fit Center Lead Ashley Sentner, Supply Chain Program Manager Lizzie Revard, and PDX Base Manager Kristie Stafford.

The next Quarterly Uniform Committee Meeting is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, August 8, 2024.

Topics of Discussion

The committee reviewed several items during internal AFA-only conversations and when meeting with management. Some items discussed include:

• OneWorld Pins
  • The OneWorld pin/logo is a required item. Please let your Local Chairperson know of any instances when a base does not have any pins available.
  • We have received complaints that the new 20 year OneWorld pins do not have secure backing.
  • Because of the red lanyards, bases are running out of OneWorld pins. Management provided lanyards with the OneWorld logo. They claim it is not in their budget to provide extra pins for the AFA provided red lanyards. AFA is currently working to find a resolution to this issue.
  • Inflight SEA base management has ordered more OneWorld pins and Flight Attendants should check the village during transit if they do not have the OneWorld pin.
• Quality Concerns
  • All quality concerns including buttons falling off and splitting at the seams/cuffs of sweaters should be reported through the Quality Concern form on the Uniform subsite.
  • If you have any quality concerns, please submit your issue using the Quality Concern Form on Team AAG > Other Resources > Uniforms > Safety & Quality > Quality > Here [SSO required] so Unisync and AFA can track recurring issues. Changes can only be made if the vendor is provided with sufficient data and proof of quality concerns.
• We addressed initial training “uniform compliance check” day rumors from social media..
  • The Committee is working with management and the Training department to  possibly allow for Uniform Chairpersons to be available on uniform days leading up to compliance check so that the New Hires in training have an opportunity to receive compliance feedback from union representatives who are not management or instructors prior to the check.
  • There may also be an opportunity to discuss uniform compliance during “Style and Service Night” provided it’s possible to continue these events for future classes.
• Tattoos & Piercings
  • The tattoo and piercing policies will not likely change until after merger/acquisition implementation and/or a new uniform roll out.
  • As a reminder, tattoos may not be covered with bandages or compression sleeves. 
• Wings
  • Due to the long lead time, the Committee requested to have supervisors auto-order wings on anniversary dates.
  • We continue to see quality issues with the wings at shipment and during use. Please send a report to Unisync at alaskaservice@unisyncgroup.com 
  • The Committee has requested to have blank wings available at base.
• SEA Fit Center will be closed on the following dates and will not be accepting walk-ins due to New Hire fitting:
  • Thursday, May 23^rd
  • Monday, May 27^th
  • Thursday, July 4^th
• The Atlas cardigan in smaller sizes and transition jackets may routinely be on backorder due to an influx of orders.
  • This has been addressed and they should be fully in stock by Fall.
  • The embroidering of the transition jacket is causing the back order. Management is researching to see if we can forego the embroidering to speed up the process.
• There is a spare “sneaky button” at the bottom of all shirts that can be used at any button gap to add additional support. The Committee has requested that if Flight Attendants add the buttons through an alteration service, that they are added to the alteration expense list and will have an update at the next quarterly meeting.
• The Committee will receive the quality concern form data once the data set has been compiled and processed.
• Still brainstorming ideas for solutions for Fit Center sizing/fixes for Flight Attendants who do not live in SEA. 
• The undershirt language is unclear and we will be working to find a clear approach that addresses Flight Attendant needs and concerns while still maintaining a professional look.
• The Committee made a request to allow shoes to be included in the allotment. There is a contractual component to this, so it may take time to review and get approval if management agrees.
• Management will be releasing style and care videos for uniform pieces in the near future.
• Management is researching adding insulation and better weatherproofing to the current transition jacket.
• Management addressed our concerns about sweater quality (holes, rips, and splitting). The Committee was able to feel a Nylon blend from the manufacturer which will likely also be warmer than the current blend. Wear testing for these items and their durability/breathability will begin in Fall. Please let your Local Committee Chairperson know if you are interested in wear testing these items.
• Still sourcing spinner bags.
• Wool sensitivity items are now coded on the Uniform website.
• The Aura vest is now available for order.
• Grooming standards remain in effect.
• The following uniform changes have been APPROVED:
  • The patriotic tie/scarf may be worn on September 11th.
  • Brown leather gloves may be worn when wearing a brown belt and/or brown shoes. (May not be worn with a black belt).
• The following uniform change requests have been DENIED:
  • The mock neck sweater untucked with the skirt.
  • A shorter apron. However, the committee has requested this be added to the alteration expense list and will have an update at the next quarterly meeting.

May 31st 2024 will see the ban of popular lug-style shoes and discipline may be issued for noncompliance. AFA has gone all the way up through marketing (including Luly Yang) in attempts to advocate for the shoe to remain in compliance. The final decision is that these shoes will not be allowed.

What The Committee Is Working On

1. CONTRACT NOW Lanyards. AFA believes that your right to wear a Union lanyard is protected by the Railway Labor Act. However, if you are directed by a supervisor to remove the lanyard, we recommend that you do so because we don’t want you to be disciplined. Please then fill out the Management Interference Report form. Note: The OneWorld pin is still a requirement, so please ensure you have the OneWorld pin on your lanyard or outer-most uniform piece.
2. Training & Uniform Standards. Provide a safe and positive environment for New Hire Flight Attendants to become familiar with the Uniform Policy Guidelines.
3. Tote Exchange Program. Specific to the post-COVID classes who were not given the normal selection process for totes due to supply chain issues. The Committee is currently working with management to create a process and will notify Flight Attendants once a method is determined. Please do not make requests at base or via email as there is no current process in place.

We Want to Hear From You!

Please email Unisync with any quality issues. In the email, please describe the issue in detail, include the “PO” number from the tag, attach photos of the issue and the tag, if possible, and CC your Local Uniform Committee Chairperson. Please consider opening a ticket at AFA Alaska Support so the Uniform Committee can track these issues.

Would you like to join the wear test pool? Do you have other feedback for the committee or items that you’d like brought up with management? Please let us know! Your Local Uniform Committee is your voice to management. You can find contact information on the Uniform Committee page of the AFA Alaska website.